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My pulled pork rub is the perfect seasoning to enhance your favorite recipe for pulled pork! Use it for pork made on the grill, in the smoker, or even the slow cooker. It's a quick and simple mix you'll love!
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Rub for Pulled Pork
I have made hundreds of batches of pulled pork, and I am not exaggerating! My slow cooker pulled pork is famous with my family and friends, and I can't imagine a vacation without it. It's a dish I make at least once every month, and when my kids were growing up, I used to make it just about every other week!
Why? Well, a big batch of pulled pork will make you enough food to last the whole week. You can use it for nachos, rice bowls, pizza, sandwiches, and so much more. (I'll share those recipes with you, too!)
The secret to a great pulled pork is more than just the sauce, it's the rub. My pulled pork rub recipe adds a depth of flavor to the pork and the sauce that brings the whole dish together. Best of all, it's really easy to make!
Try it with my Pork Loin Pulled Pork or Pulled Pork Instant Pot Recipe!
Pulled Pork Spice Rub Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is a necessity for delicious pulled pork, adding rich sweetness that amplifies the best flavors of pork.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is much better to use for pulled pork than garlic cloves, with a more mellow and sweet flavor that doesn't overpower the mild pork and with no chance of burning.
- Onion Powder: There's a special sweetness to onion powder you can't find in fresh onions. That said, you can also dice up an onion and add that to the pulled pork. It's up to you!
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika is incredible for pulled pork. I really can't recommend the smoky flavor enough! It brings in a rich, earthy smokiness that makes even slow cooker pulled pork taste like it was made in a smoker or on a grill. Of course, you can use regular paprika or any other variety of paprika, too!
- Dry Mustard: Some dry mustard is all it takes to bring in lots of flavor! It has a zesty and tangy flavor that brings out a bit of bite in otherwise mellow pork.
- Cumin: You can't forget cumin when making pulled pork! This earthy spice livens up the entire blend of flavors, adding a base of flavor for everything else to build off of.
- Optional Ingredients
- Black Pepper: If the sauce you're adding doesn't have much pepper, you can always add a bit of black pepper to the mix.
- Cayenne Pepper: Adding cayenne is a sure way to up the heat! Feel free to add some to the blend if you're looking for a spicier pulled pork.
- Chipotle Powder: Chipotle powder, or chili powder if you don't have any, adds a wonderfully warm and earthy spice. Use it if you're making Tex-Mex inspired pulled pork.
- Salt: I find that the sauce tends to add enough salt, but if you're not adding sauce, add kosher salt to the blend. Make sure it's a nice big-grain salt so it sticks to the meat! I also love to use my favorite Maldon sea salt flakes.
Isabel's Top Tip
Pair this seasoning with your favorite BBQ sauce, like my homemade sweet BBQ sauce! For a more vinegary flavor, you can also try my Carolina BBQ sauce. Both are wonderful pairings with this pork.
Pulled Pork Rub
Equipment
- Spice jars for storing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar - packed
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ Tablespoon dry mustard
- ½ Tablespoon cumin
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl.¼ cup brown sugar,1 Tablespoon garlic powder,1 Tablespoon onion powder,1 Tablespoon smoked paprika,½ Tablespoon dry mustard,½ Tablespoon cumin
- Mix until evenly integrated, then rub into your pork, cook, and enjoy!
Notes
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- Adjust the levels of seasoning to your taste preferences. Add more or less sugar, up the heat with some black pepper and cayenne, and add extra flare like chipotle powder or dried herbs to fit the flavor profile you desire!
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- Rub the seasoning in very well for smoked and grilled roasts! This will ensure the most flavorful pulled pork. If you're making it in a slow cooker, it'll all simmer together, so you can just sprinkle it on.
- Keep reading for more helpful tips and recipes to make with pulled pork!
Video
Nutrition
What is the best pork for pulled pork rub?
This homemade spice blend works great with any cut of pork, but to make pulled pork, the best cuts to use are pork loin, pork shoulder, or Boston butt. Pork tenderloins are also a great option for a smaller batch. You can also use pork ribs, but be sure to pick out the bones!
Pulled Pork Recipes
- Smoked Pork Butt - if you've never tried smoked pulled pork, prepare to have your life changed.
- Grilled Pork Butt - Barbecue pulled pork has an incredible flavor and delicious little charred bits that are hard to pass up! This recipe is perfect for summer BBQs.
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - A weeknight classic I can't live without!
- It's great on Pulled Chicken, too!
How to Season Pulled Pork
1: Add to a bowl
Add all of the dry seasoning ingredients to a small bowl. If you're using fresh onions, don't mix them in.
2: Mix and enjoy
Mix the seasoning thoroughly together, then rub it into pork before cooking it. This seasoning will work for any method of cooking pulled pork, so give it a try no matter what your favorite recipe is!
Pulled Pork Seasonings Tips
- Adjust the levels of seasoning to your taste preferences. Add more or less sugar to adjust the sweetness, up the heat with some black pepper and cayenne, or add extra flare like chipotle powder and dried herbs to fit the flavor profile you desire!
- Rub the seasoning in very well for smoked and grilled roasts! This will ensure the most flavorful pulled pork. If you're making it in a slow cooker, it will simmer together, so you can just sprinkle it on.
How to Store Seasonings for Pulled Pork
Because all of the ingredients in my pulled pork spice rub recipe are shelf-stable, it can be stored in the pantry indefinitely! I like to make big batches and store it in a jar or other airtight container, then sprinkle it on just about everything. Seriously, there's not much that isn't made better with a sweet and spicy seasoning like this one!
Spices for Pulled Pork FAQ
You can add dry rub for pulled pork to the meat directly before cooking it, or up to one to two hours before cooking it, but if you want, you can also let it sit overnight in the refrigerator after seasoning. The meat is very flavorful even when seasoning and then immediately cooking.
You can absolutely use this seasoning for other kinds of meat, from pulled chicken to slow-cooked beef! I've even used leftover pork seasonings to sprinkle over roasted vegetables and corn on the cob and let me tell you, it really works on everything.
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